I really enjoyed reading this story. Yttrup is a gifted storyteller, and she weaves a multi-layered story with this novel.

Everyone's definition of home is different, and this story by Yttrup emphasizes how often home is more than just a place. Melanie and Craig have found themselves in a place many readers may be able to relate to. They have been married for so many years that they've found that they no longer know each other. Faced with financial difficulties, they are forced to look within themselves to try to remember who they are not just as a couple, but as individuals. As Melanie frantically works to finish a novel for an upcoming deadline, she also finds herself searching for the story within her. A beautifully written novel about how we process what life throws at us, I'd recommend this novel to anyone who likes a read that draws in the reader.

This is my first book by Ginny Yttrup. I doubt it will be my last. She tackles some tough topics in this book as she weaves the stories of several characters into the pages. I found myself cheering on each one of them as the battle to face the issues they have been avoiding for years.

The characters were like-able and the book was easy to read and light despite the tough topics covered. This is the best type of Christian fiction!

The publisher provided an ARC through Netgalley. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts

The emotional roller coaster each of these characters ride resonated deep within my own soul. You felt what they felt in this novel because Ginny made them all so real. I felt that I was, too, living the lives they were living, going through the hardships they were experiencing. In all honesty, for anyone that reads this, at least for me, the book will really resonate with you. We all experience grief, hardships, and anxiety.

While this isn't my normal genre, I really ended up enjoining this one!

I really enjoyed this book. It is a Christian novel. Melanie is the main character. She is a writer, trying to meet her deadline but she has writers block. Her personal life is also very strained. The story goes between Melanie and her husband Craig and their best friends Jill and Marcos. Melanie is running from grief. Jill is obsessed with grief-stress. These two couples could be your next door neighbors. They are very real and you are drawn into their worlds. You care about them and want things to work out for both of them. I read deep into the night to be sure "my friends " were going to be ok. I would definitely read another by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

Such a good read! Very moving! So glad to read something biblical based and uplifting! Will definitely pass on the read!!!

Home is a thought provoking yet enjoyable book. It touches on the struggles many people face with finances, heartache, infertility, physical problems, loss, grief, mental illness, marriage problems and dealing with your everyday strengths and weaknesses plus and most importantly your faith in GOD - wow is that a lot to be dealing with. When all these things come upon you in your cross road of life where will you stand in your faith and life? who will you let guide you through these potholes? Who will you turn to? These major life potholes as the characters had to go through in Ginny Lyltrup's, and boy did they have major potholes to maneuver through, they had to make some major decisions regarding their lives in every single way. Will Melanie turn to GOD or to what or who isn't totally real? Will Craig turn what is all too real or turn to the CREATOR that can love him with all the love he has been needing?

Title: Home
Author: Ginny L. Yttrup
Publisher: Shiloh Run Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Home" By Ginny L. Yttrup

My Thoughts....

This story was quite a well written read where the characters struggles were definitely ones that could be faced by just anyone you may know.

For Melanie and Craig were having some real hard times in their marriage where one could at one point or another not know to whom to feel more sorry for. Less not forget those neighbors who added quite a lot to the read. This is definitely one of those reads that will promote a lots of thoughts that will touch one just about on any level.

"Home" is of a real story of a 'family relationship, trust, romance, sadness, longing, love and less not forget a prayer' as each one of thee well developed characters will have their own struggles in trying to find there way home. Will these characters be able to overcome their struggles?

"Home" will definitely help one to understand more about relationships that are often faced in today's society.

Home, it should be the ultimate refuge, but for novelist Melanie Vander and her husband Craig it is merely a place they both sleep. Not only are they in financial difficulty if the don't do something soon they may lose everything. Their next door neighbors Carlos and Jill are also facing a crisis Home is a very engaging book that examines two couples at life's crossroads. I enjoyed this book immensely. The characters and situation were very plausible. I loved the gentle reminders God gave each of them as they faced their own crisis. Although this is my first book by Ginny Yttrup, it will certainly not be my last.

From Amazon:

Melanie runs away. From conflict. From pain. From reality.

When novelist Melanie Vander faces a looming deadline, she decides it’s time for an escape to an inspiring, novel-worthy locale. She’s not running away. Really. She just needs time to focus. But as she disappears into her writing, she encounters a man whose tenderness leaves her reeling. Engaging and wise, psychologist Elliot Hammond tempts Melanie to question everything, including her marriage.

But that’s ridiculous. Dr. Hammond isn’t even…real.

Melanie’s husband, Craig, has his own problems, including a recession that’s threatening his business. Waning finances, a looming home foreclosure, and a wife who’s checked out emotionally have Craig feeling as though he’s carrying his burdens alone. When his client, the beautiful and single Serena Buchanan, offers him a solution to his financial woes, he’s tempted by more than her offer of a business solution.

At a crossroads, Melanie and Craig seem headed in opposite directions.

As Melanie runs away from her problems by escaping into her own fictional world, Craig dives into his struggles, seeking God for strength and healing for his marriage. Ultimately, Melanie must choose whether she’ll check out completely, or allow her characters to lead her home.

About the author:

Biography
Ginny is the award-winning author of Words, Lost and Found, Invisible, Flames, and her most recent novel, Home, which releases April 1, 2017. She writes contemporary women's fiction and enjoys exploring the issues everyday women face. Publishers Weekly dubbed Ginny's work "as inspiring as it is entertaining." When not writing, Ginny coaches writers, critiques manuscripts, and makes vintage-style jewelry for her Esty shop, Storied Jewelry. She loves dining with friends, hanging out with her adult sons, or spending a day in her pajamas reading a great novel. Ginny lives in northern California with Bear, her entitled Pomeranian.

I was given this book by Netgalley.com for review purposes, All thoughts are my own.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is a very well written piece of Christian literature. Home is really a fitting title as it deals with so many issues couples and families face. I will say at first I had a hard time relating to Melanie or Jill. As time went on, I felt their story and was crying through several chapters. Melanie is an author trying to reach a deadline. We slowly learn her story and why her husband is so distant from one another. Jill is dealing with a mental illness she doesn't even realize she has. Compelling and interesting. Glad I stuck with this book.

This book was my introduction to Ginny Yttrup's writing and I was wowed for sure. I don't always enjoy first person narratives but quite a few books I've read recently are slowly turning my skittishness around. This book is one of those books. It's actually written in first person present tense with many scatterings of flashbacks and memories which was a very creative yet powerfully effective way to tell this particular story (as you can tell, I'm not a fan of present tense story, either, but this book was superbly written in the present tense).

The switching of first person narrative from Melanie, Craig (Melanie's husband), and Jill (Melanie's next-door neighbor, friend, and editor) took a few chapters to get used to. The first half of the book laid the groundwork for the powerful punch of the second half. I still wasn't sure if I felt comfortable with the topics covered - marriage strained by infertility, breakdown of the magic in romance/marriage after two decades, obsessive-compulsive disorder to name a few - but, at the halfway mark, I was hooked and couldn't put the book down. I had to race till the end to find out what happened.

The integration of faith and prayer was extremely well-executed, especially during the lowest of the low times in the characters' lives. I really appreciated the interweaving of Catholic presence and Protestant presence through the character of Craig. And the Epilogue really hit the nail on the head.

Craig is a hero. Broken, tempted, yet humble and willing to be faithful in all things. Melanie is an unlikely heroine - withdrawn, introverted, and living only in her fictional world of her books that she writes. Jill is interesting and her struggles with OCD and PTSD are so real. The unconditional love that her husband Marcos has for her is so tender and heartwarming. The characters come alive on the pages and pull the reader into their world.

This book was not a light-hearted easy reading kind of a book. It made me pause and think throughout the book - am I like Melanie? Do I run from things perceived as difficult? What does it mean to be a friend? What does "home" mean for me? Am I holding onto anything in my past, any unresolved grief, that is interfering with being fully engaged with here and now? This book is a must read.

I was given ARC of the book by Barbour Publishing via NetGalley. I was not required to give a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

Really excellently drawn characters. The story opens a window on a very challenging career. Home is well worth reading.

This is my first book by Ginny Yttrup. I got caught up in the story right away. Melanie is a fiction writer going through a mid-life crisis. In the middle of a recession Melanie is wondering if she will lose both her husband and her home. This is also a story about the couple next door, Jill has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I think the only thing I didn't like about this book was having three POV's, although the chapters are labeled pretty clear, so it didn't get too confusing. Very well written book.

I love when an author gives her characters real struggles, with deep angst, and life-changing decisions throughout the novel. Melanie and Craig Vander face different choices out of the same tragedy that struck them years before. Will what they chose keep their marriage from the brink it is on or tear them apart?
To keep them financially afloat, Melanie desperately writes another novel and discovers timely truths through her characters. Her neighbor struggles with her own challenges. Will she and Melanie find ways to support each other?
From the first page I realized I was reading an above average book by a Christian author. The validity of the concerns, how she knit them into the story, and how each person concludes their situations excelled! This book can be read by non-Christians. Her use of scripture and faith naturally occur.
I can't wait to read another one of Ginny Yttrup's books!
I received 2 copies of this book, an ebook from NetGalley and the paperback from Barbour Publishing. I have written my honest opinion and review here.

Another great book by Yttrup, What's on the surface that a person presents to the world is often misleading. The person that helps the most get to the root of problems is often the least likely person you'd expect. Be open to what people have to offer.

Loved this story...and this writing style. Already looking forward to reading Ms Yttrup's next masterpiece.

Melanie Vander, author, and her contractor husband, Craig, are disconnected.  They live a grand life with many materials things, but they are not happy.  For Melanie it shows itself in her inability to write her next book.  For Craig, it stems from a down market for his construction company.  They need each other, but they continue to drift alone.
Neighbors Jill and Marcos provide another good storyline in this novel about finding one’s way home. Each person in the story much reach inside, reach to God, and grieve, regroup and grow.

This was truly an experience to read. I wasn't sure at first if I could keep all the characters straight. The author bounced back and forth between characters in a way that helped me start to connect with them. It's funny how we go through life and suddenly a memory, a sound or even a smell will give us a glimpse of a long forgotten memory. I loved how the author dug deep into relationships, mental disorders and self worth and wrote a story so compelling I couldn't put it down.

I easily identified with Jill. She starts having nightmares that she doesn't understand and they start to take over her life. Jill doesn't understand why she is having so much anxiety along with OCD. I was so upset when her mother felt no sympathy for her daughter. I sure know how that feels. What would it be like to learn a dark secret from your past? Could you confront those who held the secret from you? Jill's husband was a very understanding man and I loved his devotion to stand by his wife and help her seek answers.

Melanie was difficult to connect with for some reason until I started to know her deep hurt . She is a writer trying to finish a novel and is stuck trying to decide what direction to take it. I loved how the author used Melanie's book she was writing to tell Melanie's story. If that doesn't make sense, it will as you get to understand her better. Her husband Craig is also a good man but I think there were times he was discouraged by their marriage.

The story is very deep and emotional and deals with grief in a way that I found comforting. Each couple is looking for happiness and peace. Will they find the answers they are looking for? Will Jill have a breakthrough and be set free from the nightmares she has lived with? Can Melanie finally grieve for something she kept buried for so long? With strong characters and a story that captured the heart of family and marriage you won't be able to forget this story. It's time to find your home where you are happy and content.


"I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review."

This book is real and raw and beautiful. It went where I never would have expected it to go. There's no predictability in this book which is fantastic! Love how the story within the story helps better understand the character writing it. The character development is great. Such depth. The characters are believable and feel things that everyone would feel. I loved how they all dealt with their emotions and many went through the stages of grief in their own way. The beginning of the book was a little bit of a struggle but stick with it and you'll be happy you did. The timeline was confusing when switching between character's point of view. At first this was really obvious but as the book progressed the chapter separations by character overlapped (in terms of parallel concurrent timing) a little less so the flow was better. Overall the book was great. I could see myself in the characters and the topics covered were ones I deal with myself. This book led to a lot of self exploration in ways similar to the characters in the book. I love when a fictional book has this sort of effect on me as a reader. It makes fiction seem more like nonfiction!
I received a hard copy of this book from Goodreads giveaways and a digital copy from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.